#I love Iseran

[marquis1305]

☢ ◔♀ for damaia maybe? ^^

Oh that is a good one! An Evil, Younger, Genderbent version of Damaia…. Meet Damian.

He ruffles the short, spiked hair settled between his gleaming horns. Damian glares down at the elf with disdain, “I’ve heard tale that you are close to the Inquisitor, the human named Trevelyan?” 

Damian doesn’t wait for a reply before he leans down to stare Iseran in the eyes. “I would answer carefully, were I you, knife-ear; the Qun aren’t the only ones who know how to deal with a stray mage. Wouldn’t want you to lose another ear, would we? ” 

He chuckles darkly while letting sparks ripple between the fingers he has held up for the elf to see. Then he lets the sparks die before pushing a few strands of Iseran’s dark crimson hair behind his torn ear. Letting his fingertips trail down, following the freckled jawline. 

“I,” Iseran flinches at the touch, but clicks his tongue while staring straight into Damian’s eyes. Answering in an even tone, “I will tell you nothing. I will not betray him.” 

“Oh,” Damian’s smile widens. “But you already have. The Frostblades tell me that your Inquisitor is sick with worry, combing the countryside for some elf he calls lover.“ 

Damian watches for Iseran's reaction. Taking in the widening pupils, the short breath, the clenched jaw.

 "You didn’t come home, didn’t check in like he was expecting. How often has he worried that you wouldn’t return from your duties as a Traveling Keeper? How many nights has he been racked with guilt for not being able to join you?” He presses, drilling the older man. Damian learned cruelty under the Qun, when his lips were sewn shut, a heavy collar placed around his neck. When he knew no name but Saarebas. Damian learned manipulation when the Tal-Vashoth stole him for their own purposes, when he had to learn to survive the savage brutes. Learned his own strength when he slaughtered those who would not fall under his rule, accepting the power that ran through his veins. 

“I wonder, how will he react when he learns what we have planned for you,” Damian’s eyes rove over Iseran's face. “After all, why waste such power? Not when it can be converted to my plans. I’ll give you some time to think it over."  

He pats the elf’s cheek, then moved to exit the cell. Turning his head only slightly as he stood in the doorway, "Oh, and I do hope you enjoy our hospitality. Feel free to request anything that might make your stay more comfortable. Wouldn’t want you feeling mistreated, Keeper. ” The smirk can be heard in his voice. 

[bumblewarden]

Hello! For the banter ask: Tabris & Sten and Lavellan & Iron Bull?

Novhen: I've noticed you have a bit of a sweet tooth.

Sten: Why do you bring this up?

Novhen: Have you ever had snow candy?

Sten: It does not snow in Par Vollen.

Novhen: Suppose that makes sense. It's past Rivain, yeah? Tell me, would you like some snow candy?

Sten: Will my answer actually affect your actions?

Novhen: Only whether or not I share. I already picked up some maple in that last town, and that stuff lasts forever.

Sten: …

Sten: I would like to try it.

Novhen: Great. Next time we camp somewhere with fresh snow, you'll be in for a real treat.

🗡•🌙

Sten: You are ill-suited to archery.

Novhen: That so? Good thing then that shooting someone is rarely my first resort.

Sten: Your shoulders are far too narrow. It is a miracle you are even able to bring the arrow to a full draw.

Novhen: It's a lot of lean muscle. Most elves don't bulk up very well, myself included.

Sten: Evidently.

🗡•🌙

(Only after previous banter)

Sten: You should emphasize your asset as a thief over your combat ability.

Novhen: Can't disagree with you there. Much less risk of my head detaching itself from my body.

Sten: Then why do you insist on fighting as you are?

Novhen: Because that's what's needed of me. I'd thought you'd understand that much.

Novhen: Don't worry, Sten. If anyone gets too close to me, I'll play dead.

Sten: It would only take one enemy to see through your ruse.

Novhen: Do you want to come with me to talk to the Warden about it, then? Maybe you can take over for my kill quota?

Sten: (Sigh)

☘️•🐂

Iseran: Give me your hand.

Iron Bull: No can do, Iseran. Last time I did that, it took a month to get the dye out.

Iseran: I remembered to set the glove's colors properly this time. Promise.

Iron Bull: Oh, don't give me the puppy dog eyes.

Iseran: I spent hours making it. I even measured it to compress your wrist and forearm.

Iron Bull: Is that why Krem spent a straight ten minutes feeling up my arms the other day?

Iseran: I figured that was the best way to get the information.

Iron Bull: I admire the tenacity at least. Tell you what. We can try it on tonight, but only if you bring a fresh bar of lye.

Iseran: Deal! This is going to work so much better this time just wait!

[red-wardens]

Iseran trying to seduce Isseya: It’s all small smiles and hands that gently brush over her. Could be on accident if it wasn’t for the way he smiled at her whenever it happened. A leaf being plugged out of her hair, a hand on the small of her back when he leans over the table next to her. It goes the whole day until he finally takes her hand and leads her away. “I hope you do not mind, but… I have been waiting to get you alone the whole day,” he admits with a teasing glint in his eyes.

She notices the touches, too frequent to be accidental- Iseran is not a clumsy man- and though she glances away, intent on focusing on her tasks, a smile tugs on her own lips each time he smiles at her. He doesn’t often take such initiative and it excites her greatly. But it’s his subtlety that gets her more than anything, his advances like elicit secrets, just for the two of them. 

By the time he’s taking her hand, he barely has time to get his explanation out before hers arms are around his neck and she’s kissing him. She pulls away and laughs breathlessly against his lips. 

“Really, ma lath?” she teases coyly. “I couldn’t tell,”

Never been less turned on | Ugh no | I’d give you a try | Yes, yes, YES | I’M READY NOW DAMMIT

———–

Seduce my Muse

[briarfox13]

After so long without the internet I was able to finish working on my half of art trades now that the new house has been done=) 

Meet the lovely @keeperscompanionsdai Iseran and Willam =) They were such a pleasure to draw and I always love hearing about them! 

[bumblerhizal-art]

Hello!!! Allow me to jump into your ask box! From the 70 one word prompts I would like to request:

1. Bite for Novhen (my beloved)

24. Alcove for Pavle (also my beloved)

And/or

29. Similarities for Iseran (new beloved??? 👀👀👀👀��👀)

Please feel free to pick and choose the prompts that most catch your attention (or forego all of them if none inspire you ^^). Have a lovely day!

Took a couple more days than expected, but i've finally got something to show for it! Hope they're up to snuff!

[70 One Word Prompts]

24. Alcove (Pavle, Subtitled: Novhen's not the only sneaky bastard around here)

(A banter this time. I'm undecided as to whether or not Pavle joins the Wardens with my Vo Mahariel at the end of the game. In this one, i wrote this with him not as a Warden in mind. Either way, he's going to be spending a decent amount of time at the Vigil. CW: Alcohol)

Sigrun: Hey, Pavle, I saw you in the library the other day. What were you hiding in that little alcove?

Pavle: Hiding? I wasn't hiding anything. Are you sure you saw that right?

Sigrun: About as sure as I am that you're a terrible liar.

Pavle: (Groan.) Novhen's told me the same thing. I think you rogues have an agenda against my self-esteem.

Sigrun: You're a little better at deflection than flat-out lying, but I'm still not hearing the answer to my question.

Pavle: I'll let you have some if you promise to keep it between only us.

Sigrun: What is it?

Pavle: (Whispering.) I've been fermenting a few jars of hooch for myself. I developed a bit of a taste for it in the Circle. It looks almost ready to drink now.

Sigrun: Really? I’ve always wondered what mage alcohol tastes like. Is it true you enchant it?

Pavle: Ah, no. That wouldn’t be wise. It's already strong enough to clean a wound. We don’t need to make it any worse.

Sigrun: Oh, is that the case? Guess I owe Vo some silver.

29. Similarities (Iseran)

(Similarities and differences are the same function really, like addition and subtraction. Guest appearances by Vir Adaar and Inquisitor Helga Cadash.)

Iseran watched the procession. She was silent and still among the churning, chaotic crowds. She had been prodding around the Divine's quarters herself just earlier that day. The heart of the explosion. Where they found the survivor.

The Chantry's forces guarded onlookers from the body as much as they guarded the body from the onlookers. The jeering crowd threatened to overtake the soldiers at any second. All it would take is one person to throw one stone, and the tension would erupt. Iseran would not be the one to make that move if she wanted to. She could feel the sudden fragility of the Veil, and it only became more extreme, more erratic as the procession approached.

She caught a glimpse of the survivor. Her unconscious body was being carried like a deer tied to a spit. Rattling waves of magic convulsed from her hand, but as best Iseran could tell, she was a dwarf. Iseran's gaze was locked on her until a gate broke her line of sight. That had almost been her.

That would have been her if Adaar didn't find her snooping and escort her out.

She found herself looking down at her hand. It was a terrible fate she had been spared, but now, the outcome of the Conclave was thrown into jeopardy. Order, maybe even peace, had seemed so close this morning. This would cause nothing but trouble for everyone. She would send word to the Keeper immediately, but she was certain she already knew. The Fade-rippled tear in the sky was impossible to ignore.

Adaar stood behind her, hand still clasped firmly on her shoulder. 

She said in a deep monotone voice that rung through to Iseran's chest, "Hell of a bullet we dodged there."

1. Bite (Novhen)

(Ach, this is the one that delayed this so much. It’s also the longest by a bit, so it gets kicked to the end. I had so many ideas for how to approach Bite for him, but this was the one i finished. I've been mean to Novhen lately so have a little modern AU fluff where Novhen raises Kieran :3 Hopefully, i’ve only minimally fudged the relative developmental milestones. The Alfish i reference in this is the language of the Fereldan city elves and mostly mutually intelligible with Clayne/Fereldan because canon doesn't have enough linguistic diversity for me.) 

The baby was crying again. Novhen struggled to open his eyes against the weight of sleep. Through the crust in his eyes, he recognized Morrigan's moonlit silhouette rocking gently next to the crib.

"Midnight snack?" he asked. 

He could imagine her rolling her eyes. 

Over her shoulder, she said, "Decidedly not. I have tried everything, but he will not cease." 

He pushed himself up into a sitting position, "If he's not hungry, let me have a look at him. You took last shift.”

He swung a leg over the side of the bed and slowly dragged himself out. 

He made his way to where Morrigan held the frantic baby in her arms. Kieran’s face was red from crying. Novhen held out his hands, and Morrigan, disheveled and tired, did not hesitate to pass Kieran off to him.

With a soft kiss to the cheeks of both of her boys, Morrigan returned to their shared bed and unceremoniously collapsed. Novhen spared her an affectionate look before turning his attention to Kieran.

He held the screaming baby aloft and sniffed his rear with a grimace.

"Not exactly fresh apples, but it's definitely not a dirty diaper either." He switched to Alfish to address Kieran, "Let’s you and me figure this out in another room, yeah?" 

He held Kieran so that he straddled his hip. He held his other hand behind his head for support, but he was growing so fast he hardly needed it anymore. 

They crossed the small cottage to the kitchen, carefully tiptoeing around the toys littering the floor. Novhen’s bare footfalls made no noise to counter the baby’s distress.

In the kitchen, he went directly for the sink and turned the faucet. Kieran paused his crying for only a second to listen to the water before resuming with the same gusto as before. With great difficulty, Novhen washed his free hand while whispering tired lullabies.

He flicked his hand dry and maneuvered Kieran closer, upright against his chest.

Novhen pulled down the baby's lower lip, distracting him enough to pause the fussing again. He ran his index finger along Kieran’s gums. In the frontmost part of his mouth, Novhen found a spot where the gums were harder than the rest and a tooth threatened to make its debut.

He chuckled, "I thought we were getting about time for that. I think I know what you need."

Turning slowly, Novhen tugged the fridge open, flinching as he was blinded by its white light. Kieran raised his voice again.

Novhen whispered into faint wisps of hair on his head, "I know, I know. The light isn't very nice, is it? Don't worry. It'll be better soon." 

He knelt down to better view the contents of the fridge. The thrum of the machinery hummed softly. As his eyes adjusted, he found the wrapped bird-patterned cloth he had placed in there months ago. Shoving a juice carton aside, he pulled out the package. He unfolded the cloth to reveal a brightly colored teething ring. He held it a few inches from Kieran's face.

"What do you think of this?"

Kieran stifled his cries as the toy danced slowly in front of his face. He reached for the bright colors. His tiny hand patted the ring, but he couldn't manage to curl his fingers quite right to grab it yet. The cool touch distracted him from the pain enough for the crying to end completely. Novhen led the ring and Kieran's hand closer to his wanting gums. Kieran leaned forward to stuff it in his mouth.

Immediately, he spat it back out and resumed his crying.

Novhen sighed, "Not that, then?"

Novhen withdrew the ring and stood. He gently kicked the fridge door shut and deposited the cloth on the counter next to it. He turned back to the sink. Before he could drop the ring in, Kieran was cooing and waving at it again.

"Want to give it another chance?"

Novhen brought the teething ring back to Kieran's face. The baby's tiny, clumsy hands greedily guided the ring back into his maw. He eagerly rubbed his gums against the chilled toy. Satisfied with his response, Novhen scooped the cloth from the counter, stuffed it in a pocket, and left the kitchen. 

He entered the living room and flicked on a dim standing lamp. Novhen then groaned as he fell into the couch. He reached over the arm rest to turn on the radio. The clearest college station, which the radio was already dialed to, was playing its experimental jazz hour. It was tolerable enough to leave it running in the background. He set the volume low to keep it from waking Morrigan. 

He cradled his son against his chest. Kieran gnawed voraciously on the teething ring. A stream of drool dribbled from his mouth and onto his chin. Novhen regarded him fondly. 

"You're a bit of a slob sometimes, you know," he said.

Kieran paused his chewing to look up at him with those wide eyes of his, the same gold color as his mother's. Just last week, Novhen could've sworn they were his own ma's dark brown. Children grow too fast.

Little Kieran smiled as he stared up at Novhen. Bubbles erupted from his mouth as his grin grew wider.

"What? It's true," Novhen allowed a small laugh to slip into his voice. "Look at you! Not even a year old, and you've made yourself a bigger beard than I could ever hope to grow and out of just spit and bubbles too!"

Responding to his tone, a wet giggle slipped out of his mouth before he returned to the teething ring. Novhen hugged him tighter.

He said, “We should schedule a trip to Denerim soon, you and me. We’ve got family there dying to see how big you’ve gotten. What do you say we go once this tooth pops out to celebrate?”

Kieran gurgled.

“That makes me so glad. I just knew I could count on you to make the right choice,” Novhen rubbed his nose against his forehead. “We’ll have to tell your mother about all this in the morning, then, but let’s let her sleep a little longer for now. I don’t think she’ll share our enthusiasm if we wake her up now.”

Kieran gurgled again. In agreement, Novhen assumed. He placed a kiss on his forehead and leaned back into the seat. He would grow into a smart kid, he was sure. With his mother, it'd be impossible not to.

[tk-duveraun]

DA Faux Wiki Pages: Dialogue

Do you love your characters and hate yourself? Want to write pages and pages and pages of dialogue and then miles of code to make it look nice? Here’s the place for you!

The pastebin link is here.

And the live preview is here.

And here’s a much better example, starring @keeperscompanionsdai‘s Iseran

As implied at the top, this is a HUGE undertaking. I suggest not coding it up until you have already written a significant amount of dialogue because it’s soul-crushingly mind-numbing and tedious work and will make you lose your enthusiasm for writing the dialogue in the first place.

Implementation - Profile - OC Companions - Quest

[royal-babey]

My Jolly Sailor Bold

A short pirate au ficlet with my Adair Lavellan and @keeperscompanionsdai Iseran Tasefa ^^

Lemme know if I got Iseran wrong in some parts “^^

Word Count: 822

-

Adair hadn’t been expecting Iseran to ask for Adair to teach him how to heal, but the pirate wasn’t exactly complaining.

Adair’s clans ship had come across Iseran’s a few weeks back. Or...Iseran’s had found theirs. They had been drifting mostly, and just barely holding on. They had suffered a shem ship deciding they wanted to hunt some “Elven” treasures just off the cost of Antiva, and whilst Clan Lavellan had driven them away...Many had been wounded, some dead. Adair had suffered an injury himself but survived physically just fine. His concern has always been his people first.

Their ship somehow hadn’t sunk, when they were found by Clan Tasefa, though it had suffered a battering itself with hard to repair problems. That’s why they were all so relieved to be found. The Clan had helped them repair their boat and also resupplied their healing items, which they had been in dire need of at the time.

Aaaaand…..When Adair tripped embarrassingly over his own feet whilst walking over to thank them on his own, Iseran caught him with a grin and immediately remarked on how Adair must have “fallen” for him. Which of course made Adair turn bright red and into a stuttering mess immediately.

Dorks.

But coming back to the present, with Iseran hanging in the doorway to the makeshift medbay of the Lavellan ship, looking rather unsure and..Almost expecting rejection from Adair;

Well, how could Adair say no?

There was no patients today thankfully for Adair to attend to, so instead he just gave Iseran a small shy smile, and nodded, gesturing for him to come in as stand beside Adair at his desk.

“Sure, I’d love to teach you.”

Iseran almost immediately looked relieved, and he quite happily walked over, sidling right up to Adair and standing so that their shoulders were practically touching. If it were anyone else Adair might have complained about the sudden closeness, but since it was Iseran…

Right. Focus. Adair could already feel his hair beginning to stand on end as static electricity involuntarily ran through his body, a pretty clear tell that he was becoming flustered. One he was sure Iseran must know by now but mercifully hadn’t commented on...For the moment, anyhow.

But shaking his head, Adair reached for a book on herbs off of his shelf. It was worn and clearly aged, but Adair had relied on it like a lifeline back in the early days of his medical training. Listing different species of herbs, subspecies, their uses, how to use them, what they can and can’t do, how to grow them and keep them around for use, it was all very useful.

“This was a gift, from Keeper Deshanna. I thought...Well, its as good a place as any to start.”

Opening up the book, Adair places it on the table between himself and Iseran. He opened it to a book on simple healing herbs by memory, and nodded to himself when he was certain he had found it. Without looking up, he began explaining the herb to Iseran and telling him where they kept it and where he could find it.

And then Iseran decided to cut in with; “It kind of looks like...You know…”

Once again, Adair was flushed bright red from head to toe in a matter of seconds. Amber eyes snapped up to stare into brown, and all Adair could do was look at his fellow grinning Dalish, wondering if he had even hard right.

“N..No…?”

“Nooo what?”

“It doesn’t…”

“Doesnnnnn’t?”

Adair just groaned loudly into his hands, being his face from the laughing elf’s view. Once all was quiet though, with Adair still silently dying inside, Iseran decided he wanted to see Adair. So gently, he took Adair’s pale and small hands in his own, pulling them up to his lips with a small grin, and brushing his a kiss against them gently. All the while he watched for Adair’s reaction.

Adair didn’t really have one to begin with, eyes just wide and watching his every move, face still in one of surprise and confusion...Then as soon as Iseran had kissed his knuckles, and still lingered, Adair pulled his hands back with a squeak and almost tried to physically retreat into himself. Still, Adair didn’t dare complain. Didn’t want to. No had ever...Had ever…

Iseran just let out a light and heartfelt laugh at Adair’s apparent dilemma, which made Adair’s own heart do little flips still. He risked a peek through his fingers, and just the expression on Iseran’s face alone, full of joy and mischief and even his own cheeks were a little flushed.

Well, Adair had certainly fallen harder than he thought he would…

When Adair let out a sigh, Iseran just closed the distance between them again, casually wrapping one hand around Adair’s waist and humming to himself with a smirk. Adair shuddered lightly, closing his eyes for a moment to almost savour this before looking at Iseran with a weak exasperated expression.

“This isn’t learning…”

Iseran just winked, thumb rubbing circles into Adair’s hip.

“Maybe, but...This is more fun, isn’t it?”

[sunshinemage]

.:: Rory’s 2018 Inktober Masterpost ::.

Another year, another successful Inktober! That’s what, four times in a row now? What? I’m honestly still surprised at myself for not giving up after the few first haha

Also this one was a special one. Mostly because I originally wasn’t going to do it due to the state I was in at the start of this month, which was... not that good. I was exhausted, lacked motivation, and thought of Inktober as one more burden rather than the fun activity it was for me since 2015.

But then I saw everyone getting excited for Inktober, showing up their supplies and stuff... and I knew I had to just get my butt in gear. Truth is, I didn’t want to feel like miserable, and just thinking about missing Inktober made me miserable, so what the hell! Although my motivation had came back, I still was exhausted, so I sadly didn’t make the portrait as elaborate as they were these past few years.

Still. Challenge complete. Ocs of all kinds have filled my notebook, and I think I’m okay with myself.

Thank you for your never-ending support and kind words of encouragement. I keep saying it and I will never stop saying it, but you guys are seriously the utmost best <3

So thank you for these lovely people whose OCs I borrowed:

@ladyinthebluebox​ / @keeperscompanionsdai​ / @kurosmind​ / @empressofbones​ / @vhyral​ / @wardenofmyheart​ / @charteredlibertine​ / @sundering​ / @smuttine​ / @reysforceawakens​ / @jetcat​ / @kf1n3​ / @pathcrier​ / @witchdoodle​ / @thereluctantinquisitor​ / @ephemereon​ / @trans-aloth​ / @chaitea09​ / @heraldofwho​ / @denerim​ / @billy-ruffian​ / @laskulls​

And thank you also to the giveaway winners:

@it-is-almost-legal​ / @super-ultimate-fangirl​ / @thuviel​ / @starrysheepy​ / @numberonetribble​ / @tessa1972​

You’ll find a recap of all the drawings below the cut!

By week:

[Week #1] [Week #2] [Week #3] [Week #4] [Winner’s Week]

By Day:

Deirdre Lavellan

Iseran Tasefa

Yara Lavellan-Pavus

Theodora Whitekiln

Fahlron Lavellan

Rory Littlearrow

Rosie Cadash

Telhara Surana

Tirion Meyrick

Bohran Lavellan

Chance Renault

Nindarhmen Lavellan

Hissera Senrion

Basil Haimes

Maevaris

Rinnariel Haurasha

Padraig Lavellan

Darren Miller

Aralc Mahariel

Cressida Trevelyan

Tahl Hildessen

Lennan Tabris

Araleen Mahariel

Rhoda Lavellan

Mahalen Lavellan

Trian

Vayla Lavellan

Faron Lavellan

Daiva Mesura

Farek Tavian Mahariel Lavellan

David Trevelyan

[briarfox13]

Aww he looks amazing!!!!! <3 

I finally had the time to draw the giveaway prizes for the lucky winners of my february giveaway! 

This is  Iseran Tasefa for @keeperscompanionsdai who won second prize!

 the first prize is coming soon xx

[hurl-a-can]

Iseran: "Das has... The most beautiful eyes and an incredible laugh. He is so full of joy and excitement it is truly contageous. He knows how to make me laugh and I am always a bit happier when I see him, no matter what. Also, very nice hands!" (Iseran your hand kink is showing...)

“Hmm. Do I?”

“If I had to pick a favourite trait or feature of Iseran’s, it would have to be...the dimples. I fucking love those dimples. I’ll tell the silliest jokes, unleash the stupidest puns, I’ll so overdo it with compliments it ain’t even cute anymore, I’ll even tickle him - just to make him smile or laugh, to see those lovely dimples!He’s got the sunniest smile in Thedas, I swear!And I could stare at his hair for hours. The way it catches and reflects the sunlight is... It’s just...” *happy sigh*“And that ear he’s so self-conscious about? I kinda love it, really. I appreciate people’s scars. They tell a story of becoming who we are. And that Iseran is *so* good and so absolutely precious, despite everything he’s been through... That one scar is a reminder of that and of how special he is, y’know?I guess at the end of the day it’s that warmth and that...radiance about him that I love most. He’s a GOOD man. That’s...too precious to put into words, really.”

[marquis1305]

In response to my and @keeperscompanionsdai talking over what might happen if our OC’s were to go to battle to protect one of their favorite family member’s. A little bit of a reunion thrown in for good measure <3

Mesara had finally gathered the courage to visit her cousin after the Exalted Council, it had taken her too many months, she knew. But she could not bear to see William so worn down. Not after the way he had returned.  

After everything.

Damaia pressed her hand to Mesara's shoulder, shaking her from her thoughts. Mesara knew that Damaia had had her own concerns regarding visiting the Trevelyan farm. The Iron Bull had given his report shortly after the appearance of the Tal-Vashoth that had managed to capture Iseran; Damaia had refused to believe the report at first. Had disappeared to go speak with her father, get what details that she could regarding those possibilities. Had refused to return until the Exalted council, and even still had refused to speak on the subject.  

Now, they both made their way across the field. Eyes trained on the house, both walking with the ease of those who had made it through a war, and feared nothing that might come in their path.  

Mesara could not help the breath of relief when she saw her cousin come into the doorway, waving his one hand emphatically at her.  

She could not help as her feet carried her ever faster towards Will, until she was barreling him over.  

A litany of apologies pouring out from between her lips. Her face buried deep into his chest, hands grasping at his clothes.  

"Why, lady Mesara, one might think that you had missed me," William tries to keep his tone light, despite his own emotions making it hard to press out his voice from his throat. "I had wondered, considering that you hadn't come to visit all these months."

"William, don't you dare tease me now," she grumbles, voice muffled by his chest. "Not after everything. I couldn't, I just I-"

"I know cousin. It was not an easy time for any of us. And while I might have missed your company, I do not blame you for withholding it. I am just glad to see you, truly." He wraps his arm tightly around her, feeling the absence of his left hand all the more for being unable to lift her as had become their custom. His throat tightening once more.  

"I hope that also applies to me, seems like I have been a terrible friend, missing so much of your new life," Damaia's voice rings out, her tone playful as always.

"Of course, Damaia. After all, who could blame so sought after a mercenary captain. Seems like the Frostblades are almost as popular as the Chargers these days." William smiles over at the Qunari, arm still tight around his cousin. "I would offer you a hug as well, but it would seem that I am all out of arms to offer."

"Then forgive me for assuming that mine would do." She laughs as she wraps both tightly into her long arms, pressing her forehead to William's.  

"Tsk, and here I had assumed the only reason that you came was for a decent meal," Iseran's voice calls out from the kitchen. Quickly summoning Damaia.

"Iseran, I see that you have managed to keep William well fed and only mildly annoyed."

Iseran clicks his tongue, gazing over at Damaia, "No thanks to you, or his cousin."

"I know. I couldn't, not with him here."

"Damaia, I would think you of all people..."Iseran huffs in frustration.  

"It is one thing for me to accept in those who need a family," she bites at her lip. "Quite another to find out that my own blood-"

They both turn at the sound of a door slamming. Iseran clicks his tongue.

Damaia wilts where she stands.  

Iseran turns to look over her, then rolls his eyes. "Well, go after the boy. If not, he will just brood over this for the coming months. Tsk."

Damaia nods, and waves to the others, excusing herself. She follows the trail out to behind the barn, where she can see an open field, littered with scars from either flames or lightning. In the center of this field, standing, is the boy that is technically her brother.  

She looks over him, trying to find where they might share some sign of their lineage. She can see the scars that litter his back, and is forcefully reminded of the history that Bull's report had laid out.  

A life she might have lived, had she not been the child her father had chosen to acknowledge.  

And then, only because of her mother.  

"You know, when trying to sneak up on someone, it's best not to sit there and stare," his voice jerks her out of her thoughts.  

"I wasn't exactly trying to be discreet," Damaia keeps her tone as light as she can. "I find that it isn't exactly my strong point."

"A trait that we share then, in case you hadn't noticed the field while staring at me."  

"You know, it sort of reminds me of my home," Damaia's lips quirk up in a small smile. "I used to do the same thing, whenever I was angry, or sad, or upset. Was pointed out to the field and would let my magic loose."

She chuckles slightly and runs a hand over the back of her neck. "Funny story, that is actually how I found out I was a mage. Got caught in a storm, felt like letting loose everything that I had kept bundled inside of me, ended up matching the lightning shot for shot."

Damian keeps his silence. Staring out towards the edges of the field.  

"Iseran said that he had told you, in his letters, that-"

"Yes." His voice is curt, leaving no room for further questions.

Which had never stopped Damaia before.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know that our father had-"

"Your father. Not mine," Damian finally turns, meeting Damaia's gaze. Damaia was shocked to see that his eye color was almost an exact match to her own. "My fathers are the men inside that cottage, who have taken care of me for the past year. My brother is the boy who learns beside Iseran, and comes out here to talk to me. To vent, and let me vent in return. They are my family. I don't know you."

Damaia tries to swallow past the lump in her throat. Nodding.

She understood, she would have to. She certainly couldn't blame him.  

Not after everything.  

"I will not press you further then," Damaia huffs a short laugh. "Though, it still leaves us having to deal with each other. After all, Mesara is my oath sister, and William is the closest thing to a true sibling that she has. Which makes you something along the lines of my nephew, if we want to ignore being blood siblings."

Damian groans softly, lifting a hand to rub at his forehead. "So quite literally, there is no way that we could avoid each other."

"Not true, I can simply ensure that when I come to visit, you have good enough warning to leave the area," she tries to tease him gently. "Or we can try to figure things out."

"Why would you want to do that? You had already made it quite clear what you think of me, Damaia." His gaze drops to the ground, looking at one of the scars he had left on the earth.

"Damian, I am mostly just in shock. I didn't know that my father had ever bred, besides my mother. My mother had always told me that I was their only child, as she couldn't have others. Then I find out that the only person who might understand what it was like, was someone who tried very hard to hurt people I care about..."

"It was my purpose, I-"

"I understand. I only spent ten years in Par Vollen, and still I always worry whether I am figuring out my own life, or just following what they taught me. If my rebellion is true to who I am, or if it is just what they told me to be as Tal-Vashoth."

"Yes," the word is whispered, as softly as a prayer. As he lifts his head to look at her once more. Face tight with grief.  

"They stole us from each other, Damian. We do not have to do the same," she leans up to ruffle his hair. Earning a surprised bark of laughter.  

"Hey!" Both Qunari turn to face a child rambling their way to where they stood. "Iseran says that if you two take any longer, he won't be able to keep supper from burning... he also added a few 'tsks' in there for measure."

"We will be right in Alfie," Damian rolls his eyes at his younger sibling. Walking over to place a hand on his shoulder.  

"You must be Alphonse," Damaia smiles at the half-elf, offering her hand.  

"And you're Damaia. Iseran has mentioned you before, something about missing your hair braiding abilities." He takes her hand quickly, then just as quickly releases it.

Damaia bursts out into laughter, recalling the incident with Sera. "Yeah, that. I am sure that he doesn't miss my long list of injuries though."

Alfie shrugs his shoulders, then starts making his way back to the cottage.  

Neither Damaia or Damian move.  

Both suddenly stiff, every muscle tense.

It doesn't take long before Alphonse can hear the chanting as well.  

"Alfie, go, run, warn the others." Damian barks the orders. Turning to step beside Damaia. Alphonse spares only a moment before bolting off to gather the other adults.  

"Qunari, I had thought that they would stop after their plan failed at the Exalted Council."

"Damaia, you know better, the Qun does not allow for failure."

The two siblings share a look. Then spread out, fifteen paces apart. Their body language somehow similar, despite never having met before.  

Arms spread wide, they begin to summon the magic that runs through their veins.  

Electricity begins to crackle in the air. The very atmosphere reacting to so much concentrated static energy.  

Damaia's hair begins to lift.

It takes only seconds before the first spear is thrown.  

It shatters against the wall of lightning that the two Tal-Vashoth have summoned.  

"Shok ebasit hissra. Meraad astaarit, meraad itwasit, aban aqun. Maraas shokra. Anaan esaam Qun." A harsh voice calls out, walking into the field before the two with an air of command.  

"Ashkost Kata," calls out Damian in response. Damaia gritting her teeth as she is accosted by memories of her childhood, of her struggles to forget this tongue. But she is not the same, she has faced down these fears many times in the years since she first joined the Inquisition.  

"Na via lerno victoria, you struggle for a fight that has been already lost, Qunari." Damaia chose specifically to use what Tevene her father taught her, knowing how much more it would enrage the Qunari soldiers lining up in formation.  

She can feel the air grow cold around them, and Damian shivered as he felt Mesara stride up near him. Her spirit blade in hand, and the other pushed forward, calling forth shards of ice to hang perilously above the Qunari forces.  

"Do not think that we will bow down before. None here fears your kind," she calls out. Voice high but regal.  

Iseran takes his place beside Damaia, fire crackling about his hands. "Tsk, you have made a mistake in coming here."

"Vinek kathas," is the only response that the group gets before the Qunari charge forward.  

The four mages make their stand.  

Damaia throwing out bolts of lightning, summoning up the spirits of those who fall to her strikes to fight against their brothers. She fights alongside the spirits, grabbing up a spear from the ground to use as a quarterstaff, striking down with physical prowess those she meets face to face.  

Damian unleashing his raw power, throwing everything he has into creating an electric storm amidst the Qunari forces, roaring loud and strong. Any Qunari that come too near being thrown aside by bolts of static charge.  

Mesara charges forward into the fray, striking down those before her with her blade, and summoning ice walls to subvert others, forcing them to either break through to attack her, or change course to face the others.  

Iserans allows his fire to reign down upon the enemies, making sweeping blasts to push them away. Only stopping to occasionally send a blast of healing energy towards one of the others as they require it.  

William stands in the door of his cottage, holding back Alfie with his hand.  

Watching in some measure of awe as each of those whom he has called family bring forth their terrible might to smash against an enemy.

He wonders why anyone would dare to face this willingly.

He certainly wouldn't.  

Translations:

Shok ebasit hissra. Meraad astaarit, meraad itwasit, aban aqun. Maraas shokra. Anaan esaam Qun. ( "Struggle is an illusion. The tide rises, the tide falls, but the sea is changeless. There is nothing to struggle against. Victory is in the Qun." )

Ashkost kata!  ( “ You are seeking death!” )  

Na via lerno victoria  ( “Only the living know victory” )

Vinek Kathas! (An order to attack or kill. Another possible meaning is "Seize them.")

(links for all translations provided.)

[seboostianillustrations-ina-blog]

“Balder? Balder I feel a little lost. I think I looked into your eyes too long.”- Iseran ^^

“Heh. I do have that effect on people, specifically you. Want to see them light up like embers later tonight?” Balder replies, a mischevious, but loving smirk on his face as he winks down at Iseran, his arms automatically wrapping around the elf’s neck, as if on instinct as he looks deep into his eyes. 

[ironbullsmissingeye]

Maybe 10 for Shok and Iseran? (or Shok/ Bull whatever floats your boat ^^ )

10- I love kiss you.

Shokrakar wrapped his arms around Iseran, kissing his cheek slowly, then making his way down to Iseran’s neck. He pulled lightly, pulling Iseran’s body against his. Iseran ran his hands over Shokrakar’s large back, giggling at the tickles from his kisses, and the rubbing of his soft beard on his skin.

“You better not give me a love bite again.” Iseran laughed, he pushed Shokrakar’s head away then rubbed his neck. It was wet with Shokrakar’s spit, but the Qunari just grinned at him. Shokrakar’s hands rested lightly on Iseran’s hips, his lips on Iseran’s forehead lightly.

“I love kissing you.” He hummed softly, pressing another kiss to Iseran’s forehead. He then moved to Iseran’s lips, leaning down into a gentle kiss. Iseran took hold of Shokrakar’s shoulders, using them to pull himself up, meeting Shokrakar in the kiss. Their height difference has always been large but it never stopped them. Shokrakar wrapped his arms around Iseran once again, then lifted him, his feet dangled high above the floor.

Iseran broke the kiss, laughing as Shokrakar held him up. “Shok! Put me down!”

[bubbascyclingtours]

Brutal Climbing Tour 2017

Was this the hardest cycling tour ever?

16 ride days

1,819km

53,463m elevation gain

31 HC climbs,

Europe’s highest and Europe’s hardest sealed road climbs

5 countries

5,800km of transfers

Angliru * La Cobertoria * Tourmalet * Troumouse * Ventoux (x3) * Finestre * Mont Cenis * Iseran * Chaussy * Telegraphe * Susten * Nufenen * Grimsel * St Gottard * Mortirolo * Gavia * Stelvio * Rombo (Timmelsjoch) * Kitzbuheler Horn * Grossglockner * Grosse Oscheniksee * Giau * Zoncolan * Monte Crostis * Monte Grappa

I guess the Brutal Tour had really been about 10 years in the making and like most crazy ideas it had evolved year to year, as I travelled to Europe and climbed more and more passes. It just seemed that there were so many that felt “un-missable” and the more I read, watched on TV and tuned in to the experiences of others, the more climbs were added to the bucket list. Of course, nobody (not even me) can go to Europe and climb 200 cols on one tour, so there had to be a way to whittle down the list. But wait, rather than whittle down, why not ramp up the list? In the modern world of information sharing, blogs etc, most cyclists had heard tales of the “Uber climbs” of Europe; the Angliru in Spain, the Mortirolo and Zoncolan in Italy and Austria’s title contender, the Kitzbuheler Horn. Surely, we could make a list of Europe’s most fearsome challenges, put together a group of intrepid Aussie cyclists, fly 26 hours to the other side of the world and ride them all? Easy, right? And so, the Brutal Tour was conceived. ​ Next came the list, which climbs should we ride, which makes the cut and which does not? The “formula” included some stats, such as gradient (average and maximum), climb length, altitude at the summit etc, that part was easy. Then we added the “less tangibles” such as iconic status and “mystique”, or more accurately; “climbs that not many have heard of, are really out of the way and just bloody hard”. Once we had our list, the course (and order) needed to be plotted. It soon became obvious (not sure why it took so long) that the most distant pins on our map were as far apart as 2000km! But surely with excellent planning, a reasonably comfortable vehicle, some decent music, it would be doable? Turns out it was.

Meet The Crew

Fast forward to August 2017, the Brutal Tour became a reality. Let’s first introduce our “tourists”; Mark “I cannot believe my data has run out already” Robertson, Frank “the Stelvio is over-rated anyway” Nyhuis, Darren “I never saw any T-junction” Joy and Ramon “I was just tapping it out, I swear” Maurice. Plus; Superguide: Gordo “when are we going back to Annecy” Sutherland Our initial list of six, became just four, with two late withdrawals but what the group lacked in numbers, it certainly made for with character, determination and good old slice of “not taking yourself too seriously” (well, for the most part).

This tour was a three week epic in every sense of the word, so I will deliver the abridged version. ​ Tours like this are always about the characters, their contributions and the creation of experiences that shape each year’s tour story. As a planner and guide, it is my job to set the route, find the climbs etc, kind of build the canvas. But a tour is nothing without the riders, in this case everyday people who trained hard, then took a large leap into the unknown and emerged as giants, having achieved what very few others have. We began the tour in Spain, essentially so we could climb one of the most feared roads on the planet, the Angliru. This nasty piece of asphalt is located in the Asturias and a really really long way from anywhere else we needed to be. In all honesty, it would have been a lot easier (and saved around 800km of transfers) if we had simply left it out. But that was not what the tour was all about, we simply had to climb it, and so we did. Picture the day; misty rain, cold winds, small farm roads covered in cow shit (makes getting traction on 23% slopes quite a challenge). then factor in the "warm up", 85km, three climbs and 2000m of elevation. Safe to say, the Angliru did its job, the Brutal Tour had well and truly lived up to its name, and it was only day one! In a tour lasting three weeks, there were bound to be some tales that could (and should) not be re-told. There are also way too many climbs, points of suffering, highlights and lowlights to which I could not do justice. Here, however, here are my "brief points of note": ​ The magical "Cirque de Troumouse" (Pyrenees), climbed after a double ascent of the Tourmalet and truly one of the most magnificent "big" climbs in the world. Tough, raw, quiet with a huge dose of that "je ne sais quoi" that makes some roads special. ​A triple ascent of the mighty Mt Ventoux where one is enough for most and two is thought of as a little extreme.

The incomparable Colle Della Finestre. 18km @ 10% where the final 9km is on very rough gravel at an average of 10.4%. Unlike the Giro in 2015, nobody graded the road for us. A ride transfer day of 210km that included the highest paved pass in Europe (the Col de l'Iseran) and finished in darkness as we struggled to find our chalet, tucked away some 6km up a tiny mountain road above St Michel de Maurienne. A double ascent of the one and only Passo Dello Stelvio - enough said. The rarely accomplished (for very good reasons) 5000m day. This one was the epic Swiss loop that included the Susten, Grimsel, Nufenen & St Gottard passes. The Nufenen turned out (very unexpectedly) to be one of the toughest climbs of the entire tour and the final 6km "cobbled" section of St Gottard has to be seen (and ridden) to be believed. ​ Another transfer day, spiced up by a pre-breakfast trundle up the "Austrian Zoncolan", the Kitzbuheler Horn. This "little ripper" is 10.2km long (if you go all the way to the tower) at an ave gradient of 13.2%. Throw in the Grossglockner (in the afternoon), which is relentlessly harder than its "stats" suggest and you will appreciate how happy we were to see our lovely apartments in Flattach at the end of the day.

This brings me to what I rate as the hardest climb of the tour, the little known, Grosse Oscheniksee in the Austrian Alps. 17km from our apartments at 10.4% (including some downhill) with the final 9km @ 13.4%. Consider also that the summit of this beast is at almost 2,400m (other European behemoths such as Zoncolan, Mortirolo, the Horn and Angliru are all closer to 1800m), the road barely as wide as a cart path and a surface full of ruts, holes and loose stones. Brilliant!   Just one more. Statistically, the hardest day we had was the "double Zoncolan"., 136km / 5,200m. Any who have ridden the "monster of the Carnic Alps" will appreciate that the climb from Ovaro is considered one of the toughest in cycling. But just because we were nearly done (and needed an exclamation point for the tour), we added the little known (and quite possibly even harder) ascent back up from Priola, that is a double-Zoncolan (BAM). But we were not quite ready for dinner yet. Just up the valley from Ovaro is the HC climb of Monte Crostis (three times used in the Giro) and it is 14km long at an average of almost 10%. On it's own, it is one tough cookie but after a couple of casual "Zoncolans" it was more (as Frank so eloquently described it) like...."fu#*ing ridiculous". Again, no match for the "brutal tourists from down under". Oh how we had grown since the Asturias.

I am not sure if there is anything quite like this tour for bringing a few blokes together, I certainly do not know of anything. We arrived in Madrid as six individuals, full of nervous expectation. We left a group of mates, full of quiet pride in what we had achieved, forever more confident in our capabilities and connected by a shared experience that may never be repeated. I would like to say a sincere that you to; Gordo, Robbo, DJ, Frank and Ramon for putting your trust in Bubba's Cycling Tours. But I am mostly thankful for the incredible energy, tenacity and flexibility you brought to the group. It is a three weeks that I will never forget and find very hard to top, both professionally and personally.

Photo of the tour! Courtesy of Robbo and his HC RE camera.

from Welcome to Bubba's Cycling Tours - Travel Blog http://ift.tt/2xPsNjJ

[tk-duveraun]

1, 4, 12, 19 and 23 please =)

1. Your first OC ever?

The first I remember the name of is Suvae TiSarren who was from the same original story as Tarie Kin (TK) DuVeraun. 

The oldest remaining OC that I still write about is Cass-no-not-that-one’s uncle, Sebastian Aethran.

4. A character you rarely talk about?

Adrianna “Adi” Trevelyan. She was my first Inquisitor and actually has two fics on AO3 that had my top hits until Awakening!Anders in Skyhold took over. She’s a Seeker and never lost her memory.

12. Name an OC that isn’t yours but who you like a lot

Ela, Ilena, Iseran, Blackie, Fanfan. I just love OCs my dude.

19. Introduce an OC that means a lot to you (and explain why)

Cass-no-not-that-one in her SWTOR incarnation was mute and I was writing her extensively when I first developed my severe respiratory issues, so it was really cathartic in a way.

23. Introduce OC that has changed from your first idea concerning what the character would be like?

Honestly, if a character changes too much, I just make an AU to fit or retcon them into two separate characters. Cass-no-not-that-one spun into many characters, including Fox.

Thanks for asking! More OC questions here.

[tk-duveraun]

Power Couple Starter Pack

(art by @elalavella)

Here’s the post of that pic above, actually. That’s how it happened. Varg just fell in love with Fox and drew him standing vaguely next to Ela.

Then I got this ask and it all went downhill from there...

The response to that was Calculated Distractions (Ao3 link). This fic takes place after the relationship has been established and was just a comedy piece.

That lead to hours and hours of speculation and conversations with @allevalale over the details.

Here’s the full series of fics in the regular Dragon Age universe that are posted on Ao3. They’re in chronological order of story progression, hence Calculated Distractions being at the end.

After reading through those stories, you can check out the tag here on my blog where there are shorter pieces that don’t warrant their own fic on Ao3.

The universe has @allevalale‘s Mead as the Inquisitor and has @ghilenan‘s Ilena, @apparentlyaveline‘s Amrita, @lyriumyue‘s Karste and @super-nerd92‘s Terenti as companions in addition to Fox and Ela. We’re more than happy to add more OCs as necessary. There’s a side AU without it’s own tag that has @keeperscompanionsdai‘s William as Inquisitor and Iseran as a companion.

Additionally, there is the Modern AU/Flowershop AU. The primary fic is The Enchanted Florist (Ao3 link). 

Other stuff from that AU can be found on the tag Power Couple AU AU.

It features all of the characters mentioned above as well as the regular cast of Varric, Cassandra, Anders, etc, though they take very side roles because we love our OCs! (And your OCs!)

My friends and I are incredibly inclusive and love hearing about any interactions you have in mind with any of our characters. Feel free to send messages or asks any time when Tumblr feels like giving notifications.